Even more than desktop applications or websites, the quality, utility and efficiency of a mobile application is often defined by its user experience. Beyond just making sure that elements are readable and accessible on the screen, in this age of multitouch, how an application presents information and how it takes information back from the user is often what can separate an app that works from one that falls flat.

In the past 12 months, the line between native apps and web applications for mobile devices has started to blur (though there are still distinctions) and more and more brands, businesses and individuals are altering their web content for different device types.

The world of user experience in and of itself is pretty gigantic; even just limiting ourselves to mobile UX, we could still fill a book with our favorite apps, sites and metaphors. Here is our list of five mobile user experiences we loved using in 2010.

1. Reeder for the iPhone and iPad

Because mobile user experience can span both native apps, web apps and mobile operating systems, we wanted to look at as broad of a range of options as possible, without focusing too much on one platform or on one content type.

The iOS application world is full of fantastic user experiences and gorgeous user interfaces. In fact, "Best iOS Interface" could be its own category.

Still, we have to give Reeder for iPhone [iTunes link] and Reeder for iPad [iTunes link] a special nod because it has managed to do something really special: Greatly improve the user experience of its targeted product (Google Reader) and do it equally well on both the iPhone and the iPad.

I'll be the first to admit I'm not a fan of the interface for Google Reader. I find it slow, clunky and cluttered. Reeder, however, is another story altogether. Not only does the application load quickly and is easy to navigate, but you can share an article by posting it to Twitter, Instapaper, Pinboard and more.

2. webOS

It's been a rough year for Palm fans. After a strong debut at CES in 2009, the Palm Pre never really took off in the marketplace. Despite moving to other carriers, the once dynamic company was pushed aside in favor of this year's new hotness, Android.

If you've ever used webOS, you know that it is in general, a really terrific user experience. It combines the sleekness and scrollability of iOS with some of the more customizable and enhanced features from Android. The webOS "card" system for multitasking is still my favorite mobile implementation.

In fact, just today, HP announced webOS 2.0, and like webOS 1.4.5 and earlier, the interface, design, and features look incredible.

The devices that run webOS might not be best of breed, but the user experience is still one of our favorites. We still think that a tablet device built around webOS would provide a true competitor to the iPad and we hope to see HP inject some real hardware muscle behind the great platform in the future.

3. Gmail for iPad

We have a bit of a love/hate relationship with Google and its user interfaces. When it wants to, the company can do some really amazing things. Oftentimes, however, you wind up with UI messes like Google Reader and Google Buzz.

In our opinion, Google has actually been much more successful with its mobile interfaces. The mobile-optimized interfaces for Gmail, Google Maps, Google Voice and YouTube are really well done.

When the iPad was released, Google updated its Gmail web interface specifically for the new device. The results are some of the best user experience work Google has ever done.

Gmail for iPad mimics the iPad mail application and works in both landscape and portrait mode. A more recent update added a new "stacked card" motif that is exquisitely designed for the iPad's touch screen.

Frankly, we'd really like to see the regular Gmail interface look more like its iPad counterpart.

4. Mobile Twitter

This year has been a big one for Twitter. The company has seen its usage soar, its userbase increase and it recently rolled out a brand new web interface. At the tail end of last year, Twitter also gave its mobile optimized website a great new overhaul.

The new mobile website was one of the first times Twitter really took the initiative to take control over its mobile experience, and the results were a better experience than many third-party apps for non-iPhone mobile platforms.

Still, for those without app-capable smartphones, or individuals who just enjoy the speed of a website, the Twitter mobile interface is one of the best around.

5. Dominos Mobile

Last year, when Domino's Pizza overhauled its website, its agency, Crispin Porter + Bogusky, updated its mobile interface as well. The results are a mobile experience that is just as interactive and fluid as most native apps and something that is truly a step up from standard pizza ordering websites.

The menu system resembles the motif that Facebook for iPhone made famous, and the site works well on all WebKit-based mobile browsers.

There's even a mobile version of the scarily addictive real-time Domino's Tracker.

Your Picks

When it comes down to it, the nominees and the awards are all picked by you, our readers. Submit your nominations for your favorite mobile user experience and be sure to vote for your favorites!

Let us know in the comments what mobile experiences really made you say, "Wow" in 2010.

The Mashable Awards Gala at Cirque du Soleil Zumanity (Vegas)

In partnership with Cirque du Soleil, The Mashable Awards Gala event will bring together the winners and nominees, the Mashable community, partners, media, the marketing community, consumer electronics and technology brands and attendees from the 2011 International CES Convention to Las Vegas on Thursday, January 6, 2011. Together, we will celebrate the winners and the community of the Mashable Awards at the Cirque du Soleil Zumanity stage in the beautiful New York New York Hotel. The event will include acts and performances from our partner Cirque du Soleil Zumanity. In addition, there will be special guest presenters and appearances.

From a group of 20 street performers at its beginnings in 1984, Cirque du Soleil is now a global entertainment organization providing high-quality artistic entertainment. The company has over 5,000 employees, including more than 1,200 artists from close to 50 different countries.

Cirque du Soleil has brought wonder and delight to nearly 100 million spectators in 300 cities on five continents. In 2010 Cirque du Soleil, will present 21 shows simultaneously throughout the world, including seven in Las Vegas.

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